Macdonell was born in India and educated at Gottingen University. He matriculated in 1876 at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, gaining a classical exhibition and three scholarships (for German, Sanskrit, and Chinese). He graduated with classical honours in 1880 and was appointed Taylorian Teacher of German at Oxford. In 1883, he obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Leipzig, and then became Deputy Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford in 1888, and Boden Professor of Sanskrit in 1899. Macdonell edited various Sanskrit texts, wrote a grammar, compiled a dictionary, published a work on Vedic Mythology, and a wrote a history of Sanskrit. He was a profound Sanskrit Scholar whose work are appreciated, widely accepted and referred to, till date.